1970 Challenger Hot

1970 Challenger
1970 Challenger

 

“Now Dodge has gone and done the real thing. They watched the whole pony car develop, then built their own super-tough version. Compact like a Dart, Wide like a Charger. Just the right size for anyone who likes his own personalized backyard bomb.” Dodge Advertisement

The 1970 Dodge Challenger was the last pony car to enter the increasing crowded pony car market. It was the corporate sister of the Plymouth Cuda. Of the two, the Challenger was the luxury model. Much like the Mercury Cougar was the luxury version of the Mustang.

The 1970 Challenger was available in many versions, from the budget Deputy Challenger to the extravagant Special Edition (SE) with leather bucket seats and an overhead console. There were ten different engine choice and three transmission choices. Buyers could truly build their ideal car in ether hardtop or convertible.

The base Challenger was available in any engine up to the 383ci big block. Over 2/3 of all 1970 Challengers were base models.

For the enthusiast the 1970 Challenger R/T was the right choice. Engine choices started with the 383ci big block. The 440ci big block and the awesome 426 Hemi were optional. The R/T included all the available equipment in the base model plus the Rallye gauge cluster and instrument panel, upgraded front and rear suspension with roll bars, heavy duty breaks, white letter tires and special striping. Performance was great across the range of engine choices.

The 1970 Challenger TA was the choice of the road warrior. It was designed to meet the SCCA Trans-Am requirement that manufactures must produce 2,500 road going version of the cars used on the tracks. The Challenger TA was described as a “wild and woolly” car with an attitude. These cars were equipped with a 340 Six Pack small block with three two barrel carburetors providing the fuel and they were nearly as fast as their big block brothers. The hood was all flat black with a big snorkel hood scoop that was secured with four lock-pins. The exhaust pipes exited in front of the rear wheels and made the car look like a real race car. The breaks were upgraded with semi-metallic front disk brakes, performance axle ratios, and the rear of the car was actually jacked up to accommodate the exhaust system. The car was truly “wild and woolly.”

In many ways, the 1970 Challenger was the best of the entire series. It was definitely the most popular of the five year series. Over time the Dodge Challenger became a legendary muscle car. So legendary, that Chrysler decided to revive the pony car concept in 2008 and the new 2008 Challenger is very similar to the classic Challenger of the past that inspired it.

Performance Statistics

Model0-60 mphQuarter Mile TimeEngineSource
1970 Challenger T/A5.8 sec14.3 sec @ 99.0 mph340ci/290hpMCR
1970 Challenger R/T Six-Pack6.0 sec13.6 sec @ 104.0 mph440ci/390hpCar Craft 11/69
1970 Challenger R/T6.2 sec13.7 sec @ 105.0 mph440ci/390hpEstimate
1970 Challenger Hemi SE6.3 sec13.1 sec @ 107.1 mph426ci/425hpCar Craft 11/69
1970 Challenger Convertib7.1 sec14.6 sec @ 97.8 mph440ci/390hpCar Life
1970 Challenger 340n/a14.6 sec @ 97.0 mph340ci/275hpHC
1970 Challenger R/Tn/a14.3 sec @ 99.9 mph440ci/390hpPopularHot Rod
1970 Challenger Hemin/a13.9 sec @ 104.6 mph426ci/425hpMusclecars 5/95
1970 Challenger R/Tn/a13.6 sec @ 104.3 mph440ci/390hpCar Craft

Production Numbers

ModelQuantity Built
1970 Challenger R/T Convertibles995
1970 Challenger T/A Hardtop2400
1970 Challenger Base Model Convertibles2921
1970 Challenger R/T Fastback3741
1970 Challenger Base Model Fastback6214
1970 Challenger R/T Hardtop13688
1970 Challenger R/T Total18424
1970 Challenger Base Model Hardtop44202
1970 Challenger Base Model Total53337

Available Engines

CodeEngine SizeFuelHorsepowerTorque
Base Slant Six198ci1x1bbl125 hp @ 4000 rpm180 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Optional Slant Six225ci1x1bbl145 hp @ 4000 rpm215 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
Base V8318ci1x2bbl230 hp @ 4400 rpm320 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
340340ci1x4bbl275 hp @ 5000 rpm340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
340 Six Pack340ci3x2bbl290 hp @ 5000 rpm345 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm
383383ci1x2bbl290 hp @ 4400 rpm390 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
383383ci1x4bbl330 hp @ 5000 rpm425 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
440440ci1x4bbl375 hp @ 4600 rpm480 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
440 Six Pack440ci3x2bbl390 hp @ 4700 rpm490 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
426 Hemi426ci2x4bbl425 hp @ 5000 rpm490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
The Challenger TA had an advertised 290 horsepower rating. In reality, it was more like 350hp.
Challenger buyers had three brilliant colors for the buyer that wanted to stand out. They were “Plum Crazy,” “Sublime,” and “Go-Mango.”
The Deputy Challenger was a budget version of the muscle car and was available with either a 198ci six cylinder, the larger 225ci inline six cylinder or the 318ci V8. Dodge sold 1,864 of the budget models with six cylinders and 1,265 with the 318ci engine.

 

1970 Challenger For Sale

 

1970 Challenger Parts

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Classic Design

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Reviewed by Mopar Man
January 12, 2009
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This is one of the poster children for the entire muscle car era. Handsome good looks and ground pounding straight line performance were standard. What more could a gear head ask for? There were only two problems. First, fit and finish were terrible. The cars were not well put together. Quality was definitely a problem. The other problem was competition. Everybody and their brother had an outstanding pony car on the market. As a result, sales were never as high as they should have been.

Have said that, the design has endured as a classic automotive design. The new 2009 Challenger is basically a tribute to this forty year old design.

 
 
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